Sounds uplifting . . . but there's more to the story. Though the prom is embraced by both the school administration and the students themselves, some parents organize a separate "whites only" prom and ban their children from attending the integrated dance. The filmmakers' cameras were forbidden from the "whites only" dance, too — so those parts of the story are told through graphic novel-style segments based on the memories of students who did attend.

But despite the conflict, says HBO, "When prom night arrives, the event is a huge success, with live soul and rap music, a packed dance floor and a pre-recorded appearance on a big screen by Freeman, who cannot attend in person due to a prior acting commitment. There is a sense that history is being made, and that the students have somehow grown from being a part of the process." Did that happen? A follow-up, Prom Night in Mississippi: One Year Later, is available OnDemand and revisits the school this Spring, telling the story of the second integrated prom — held alongside another "whites only" dance.

I'm from Mississippi. I think "segregation is still very strong there" is an overstatement. I'm not by any means claiming racism doesn't still exist, and I'm not saying it isn't particularly bad in certain areas. But things are getting better in most places. Unfortunately, it has been a slow process...largely due to ignorant parents teaching their kids ridiculous things.
I haven't seen this movie yet, but I've wanted to ever since I heard about it. Maybe when (if) those parents who organized the separate white prom see how dumb they look on film it will give them a wake up call.

I'm from Mississippi. I think "segregation is still very strong there" is an overstatement. I'm not by any means claiming racism doesn't still exist, and I'm not saying it isn't particularly bad in certain areas. But things are getting better in most places. Unfortunately, it has been a slow process...largely due to ignorant parents teaching their kids ridiculous things.I haven't seen this movie yet, but I've wanted to ever since I heard about it. Maybe when (if) those parents who organized the separate white prom see how dumb they look on film it will give them a wake up call.

Wow. I wish I had HBO so I could watch this right now. But I'm definitely looking for it on DVD. My mom is from Mississippi, and segregation is still very strong there. but even so, I'm shocked some schools would still have segregated proms.